Some would argue that the best security system is a monitored system because a trained professional is watching the system and reacting to any notifications that arise from it at all times.

1. Best Security Systems are Backed by
Alarm Monitoring Services
What is home security? The term can mean different things to different people. In its simplest
sense, home security means high-quality door locks and window latches intended to prevent
intrusion. It can also indicate smoke alarms, CO alarms, burglar alarms and other security-
related sensors that can alert you to danger much earlier than you might otherwise recognize it.
Some would argue that the best security system is a monitored system because a trained
professional is watching the system and reacting to any notifications that arise from it at all
times.
Key Benefits of a Home Security System
A common question among new homeowners is, “Is a home security system worth the
investment?” The answer to that question is an emphatic “Yes!”
• The costs associated with security hardware and services are very low. Even the best security
system on the market is relatively affordable when installed and configured in the average
home.
• Most insurance companies will provide a home insurance discount when an alarm system is
present. You can maximize that discount by following the insurance company’s guidelines for a
security system.
• Alarm systems also improve the value of your home, and in some cases, that appreciation is
significant.
• Homes that have a security system are statistically less likely to be the target of crime. Some
people like to think that having signage is good enough, but the statistics also show that the
average burglar is much savvier then you give him/her credit for.
• When you have a home security system installed by a professional, that technician can assess
your home, identify security issues and then develop a plan to overcome them.
Key Benefits of a Monitoring Service
So now that we know why having a home security system is the right move, the question
remains: Why should a homeowner invest in a monitored alarm system? After all, an alarm
monitoring service requires a monthly fee, which makes the total cost of ownership much
higher. Consider the following:
• Remember that home insurance discount we mentioned? Well, that discount will be even

2. better if your system is monitored, and that savings goes a long way toward offsetting the cost
of the alarm monitoring service.
• Perhaps most importantly, an alarm monitoring service ensures that alarms are identified and
handled in a proper fashion. Consider the typical smoke alarm that’s available at your local
hardware store. What happens when you sleep through the alarm and are incapacitated by the
smoke?
• Monitoring agents are trained professionals who know precisely how to respond to an alarm,
and the agent who handles your alarm will ensure that the proper authorities are contacted and
on the way to your location, even when you’re unable to reach your phone or are asleep.
• Monitored services are also able to identify hardware faults and failures as they occur, and
they can have a technician out to remedy the problem that same day or night.
• Another advantage is that monitored services allow you to lease your equipment. That means
that your upfront costs are lower, and you can afford the best security system possible.
• It also means that when your family needs change, you have great flexibility to adapt to those
changes. After all, it’s the leasing service that incurs the bulk of that expense, and most
providers will set up a yearly inspection to go over the system with you and consider possible
upgrades.